About a year ago we decided to adopt a dog. Not just any dog, but Themi. A dog of huge proportions with a lot of difficulties. He was terrified of people and would approach and trust a select few. When I mentioned wanting to adopt him, lots of friends focused on the problems we would encounter: that he sheds excessively, that he would struggle to trust us, that I had no experience with dogs and all sorts of other things.
All these arguments were reasonable. But when I looked into this creature’s eyes for the first time I saw only kindness, and knowing how much he had suffered we couldn’t resist. After a long series of daily visits to the shelter where SPAZ was looking after him and with their invaluable help and guidance, we took him home.
At first, things were tough. But day by day, we witnessed a small miracle: the fear began to subside and the trust developed. Themi stopped hiding, started to communicate, to seek our touch and to accept our love.
A year on, he is an integral part of our family. He looks forward to and is as delighted as a young child when it comes to walk times, he greets us enthusiastically when we get home, he “talks” to us with his eyes and his expressions; his loyal company grows a little more each day. The love and tenderness my young son shows him is truly touching. And even more so is that Themi returns that love in his own way.
Without doubt, adopting an animal is a serious responsibility and should not be undertaken without serious thought or in the heat of the moment. But the reward is priceless. That feeling that you are transforming an animal’s life, and that in turn they are changing yours, is indescribable. A dog is not just company; it offers unconditional love, lessons in trust, presence, and stability. It makes you a better person: more patient, more compassionate, more grateful. For me, the difficulties we faced are insignificant compared to what we gained. Every day that Themi is with us, he reminds us how lucky we were that our paths crossed and he became an indispensable part of our lives.
Lida Sarantidi
